Melon-carrier



(No Model.)

' J. K. FLER.

MELON CARRIER. No. 466,670. Patented-Jan. 5, 1692.

W/TNESSES: I INVENTOH:

- dA/QKfLER.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.IOI IN K. FLER, OF LEAVENWVORTH, KANSAS.

MELON-CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,670, dated January 5, 1892.

Application filed August 18, 1891. Serial No. 403,061. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN K. FLER, of Leavenworth, in the county of Leavenworth and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Melon Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved melon-carrier intended especially for carrying watermelons, and seeks to provide a simple and inexpensive construction of carrier which may be efflciently used for the purpose in view; and the invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows the carrier as in use. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the carrier, and Fig. 3 shows different ways of securing the cross-plates to the side strands.

My carrier, as shown, comprises side strands A and cross bars or plates 13, the strands A being, preferably, lengths of wire and the bars or plates B being strips of tin extended between and connected at or near their ends with the strands A. It is manifest, however,

' that the strands may be of cord, chain, narrow strips of flexible metal, leather, or the like without departing from the broad principles of my invention; but the wire is preferred, because, while sufficiently flexible to properly encircle the melon, it holds its shape better than cord or other similar material.

At both its ends the carrier is provided with handle-bars 0, one of such bars C serving in the use of the device as a hand-hold and the other as abearing at its ends for the side strands lapped against such ends, so as to prevent the side strands being forced toward each other, the said construction operating to hold the strands properly apart, as desired.

In the construction shown, and as preferred, the side strands are formed from a length of wire passed longitudinally through the handle-bars and united at its ends.

In applying the carrier to a melon it is passed around the melon and one end passed through the other, as clearly shown in Fig.1, so that it will adjust to fit any size of melon within the range of the carrier.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the cross bars or plates are shown as connected to the side strands by perforating them near their ends and passing the strands through such perforations. In Fig. 3 the cross-plate is shown at X as bent at one end around the strand, while at Y the plate is shown as divided at its end into two flaps or sections bent around the strand in opposite directions. The connecting plates or bars operate to preserve the proper relation of the side strands and also prevent such strands from cutting into the melon.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. An improved melon-carrier consisting of the flexible side strands, the connecting plates or bars B, and the cross bars or handles 0 at the ends of the side strands, one of the said handles 0 being arranged to serve as a handhold and the other as a bearing at its ends for the side strands lapped against said end, whereby to prevent the side strands being forced toward each other, substantially as described and shown.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, the melon-carrier herein described, composed of the two handle-bars, the length of wire passed through the said handle -bars and united at its ends, and the plates or bars connecting the strands of wire at points between the handlebars, all substantially as set forth.

JOHN K. FLER.

Vitnesses:

EDWARD O. DUsTIN, H. S. RESDENBURG. 

